Floriana forced to seek alternative training venue

Floriana FC were unable to start their pre-season training as usual at the Independence Arena due to a dispute between the club and Green Investments Ltd over the artificial turf pitch and had to start training at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

Addressing a press conference at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Friday, Club President Johann Said said that over the past days supporters were constantly asking what was the reason for which the team was not training at the Independence Arena. Said explained that due to the ongoing dispute in between Floriana FC and Green Investments, the senior squad is compelled to seek an alternative training venue which is costing the club a considerable amount of money on a daily basis. According to estimates, if such situation will not be settled, the club has to fork out circa €10,000 for training purposes. Funds which could have been easily invested by the club in salaries or within the youth sector.

Said said that the committee agrees that it was unacceptable for the club to pay to use their own facilities in Floriana.

Johann Said urged all involved so that reason prevails over any personal grudges. Said held that the affection to the Green and White shirt should reign supreme and any personal grudges should be done away with.

Johann Said did also thank Hamrun Spartans for their support and cooperation in allowing the club the use of the pitch on a regular basis. Notwithstanding, Said held that whosoever would wish to help the club to recoup some of the expenses incurred in hiring the Hamrun pitch, should do so by depositing a donation in BOV account no: 40019189956.

Matthew Paris, FFC Secretary, indicated that as instructed by the members present during the Annual General Meeting an inquiry into the contract signed between FFC and Green Investments was held. The results of such inquiry will be tendered during an Extraordinary General Meeting, which will be held on the 30th July 2010 at 19.00hrs at the Club’s premises in Floriana.

All members are urged to attend.

Meanwhile the club has so far strengthened the squad with the signing of two players on loan – Manolito Micallef and Christian Cassar from Hamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk respectively. Both are former Floriana players and Cassar was also a member of the squad last season but sustained an injury in the second league game which ruled him out for the rest of the season. A number of foreigners are also on trial with the club but no decisions has been made yet.

As from this season, the technical staff will led by technical director Todor Raykov, assisted by assistant coach Michael Woods and goalkeepers’ coach Roger Camilleri.